Self employed, another term for “a way of paying below the legal minimum”. Then he has to advance hundreds of quid a week for fares and fuel. Probably only gets paid monthly, too.
How many of you blokes, with real jobs have to pay for fuel, then claim it back?
As truck drivers (unless you own your own truck) it is very rare to be genuinely self-employed.
Some agencies etc still try to work around the law in order to pay extra and make sure they are well cared for.
Whoops ! I meant to say make sure the agencies keep more of the money and need to do less for their drivers. Silly error.
In spite of seemingly having low unemployment in the UK we do have high levels of parttime and zero-hours contract jobs.
UK zero-hours contract rate 2023 | Statista.
I am sure that trade-plate work does suit some, and is probably not a strain on a bad back as little handball is required…but not for all.
I’m not 100% certain but I think that this forum has a trade plating expert on board. Less a job and more an extremely well paid sightseeing tour I’m led to believe 
Some mobs here tried to go down the self employed route, simply as a way to circumvent paying award (mandated minimum rates and conditions for various roles) rates. The tax man knocked that on the head. In our industry, if the driver didn’t own the truck and have the freedoms and responsibilities of a genuine owner driver, he was deemed an employee.
@Frangers and @Moaster 2+2=4 
That’s actually an understatement.
Firstly only around 10% of the jobs actually need trade plates.
Job and finish.
PAYE.
The job of driver means literally.
Earning a lot more for driving premium cars around scenic parts of the country then I ever earn’t driving trucks.
Fuel and fares all paid back with wages weekly.If not given a fuel card.
25-30 hour week.
If Carlsberg did jobs this would it.
Ta da.
Earning a lot more for driving premium cars around scenic parts of the country then I ever earn’t driving trucks
I imagine that if I took 25 years off between jobs then the wages all across the board would be a lot more too 
Hmmm…head beer taster?